Sobey back from US to play for Miners

NATHAN Sobey is set to bring his game back from the United States to the Minerdome.

Sobey will join the Ballarat Miners next month, filling a spot on the roster for Kris Blicavs who remains on the Miners’ long-term injury list awaiting back surgery.

Ballarat Basketball elite teams manager Jimmy Hunt said the GMHBA Miners had a wealth of point guards and big guys but the lack of depth, particularly defensively on a quick No.3 or tall No.2 player, was telling on the floor.

The 190-centimetre tall Sobey played juniors and youth league Miners before joining NCAA division one college University of Wyoming in the US.

Sobey is expected to be in town and available to suit up for the Miners’ clash with Mount Gambier at the MARS Minerdome on May 17 – just after the team’s Tasmanian road trip.

Miners head coach David Flint could hardly wait to work Sobey’s style into the Miners’ game.

“We have been watching Nathan’s progress over the last 12 months and his style of play will complement everyone else on our current roster,” Flint said.

“He is very athletic, strong, can get out on the break being able to finish above the rim and could also be a lock down defender that brings a lot of intensity.”

Sobey, 23, was one of two players to start all 33 games for Wyoming during the 2013-14 season.

He averaged 9.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 30.2 minutes per game, shooting at 43 per cent accuracy from the field and 26 per cent beyond the arc.

The Miners will host Albury-Wodonga at home this Saturday night, leaving for a Tasmanian double next weekend.